Specific gravity compensating float for liquid level indicators



March 8, 1938. J RENNER 2,110,490

SPECIFIC GRAVITY COMPENSATING FLOAT FOR LIQUID LEVEL INDICATORS Filed Feb. 6, 1936 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES SPECIFIC GRAVITY Cp-MPENSATING FLOAT FOR LIQUID LEVEL INDICATORS Frank J. Renner, J oliet, Ill.

Application February 6, 1936, Serial'No. 62,650

2 Claims.

This invention relates to buoyant devices, and

particularly to compensating buoyant devices, used as the actuating unit for liquid level indicators, and particularly to a device of the character described, where such compensation may be required because of possible changes in depth of immersion due to certain changes in specific gravity in the liquids in which said buoyant devices are floated.

One object of the present invention is to provide an actuating device for a liquid level indicator through the use of a balanced flexible 1 agent, when the said indicator is located remote from its actuating unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more stable form of actuating unit when such stability is greatly increased because of a novel arrangement whereby no part of said device is required to maintain said flexible agent balanced. 7 Another object of the invention is to provide a more positive means of actuating a balanced flexible agent that is being used as a motive force for a liquid level indicator.

Another object of the present invention is' to provide a novel construction and arrangement for automatic adjustment of a buoyant device, when such adjustment is necessary due to certain changes in density in the liquid in which said invention is being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means of maintaining a certain part of the balanced flexible agent constant, when One embodiment of the present invention is shown for illustrative purposes in the acc0m-.

panying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of the present invention as it would be seen from a point directly above it when the present invention would be floated in a liquid;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational View of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, and taken substantially as indicated by the lines 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional, elevational view of a tank or container with the float immersed therein, illustrating a preferred method of mounting a tank unit therein together with operating devices forming a part of the present invention, and showing particularly the balanced flexible agent used in connection with the float.

I Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the present invention contemplates anouterfloat, indicated as a whole by the numeral l, and being shown in the present instance as a ring which-completely surrounds another float, shown'in the present instance as'a disk, and designated by the numeral 2. (These floats are constructed preferably of a noncorrosive material.) The outer float I and the innerfloat 2 being joined by means of levers shown in the present instance as long arms 3-, adapted to be mounted preferably on the top of both the outer float l and the inner float 2 by means of a pin 4, to a standard 5 shown in the present instance as an upright, rigidly mounted upon said outer float I and preferably slottedso as to better receive any of said levers. The same lever 3 being mounted upon the inner float Z'by means of a pin 6; to a standard, shown in the present instance as an upright l, and slotted to contain saidlever 3, which then continues to extend preferably to a center plate arrangement and shown in the present instance as a toggle 8 to which all the arms -3 converge and are joined, preferably pivotally by means of pins, one of which is designated by the numeral 9. 1 To'provide furtherfor the proper operation of the multiple levers 3, by means of the-pins 4 and 6, the slots at and b in the levers 3 wherein these pins are contained, may be of such shape asto'f urther insure a free movement of the levers '3, withinthe standards 5 and 1, at all times. I

For insuring efficient operation of the levers 3, the uprights 5 and I should be of suitable height to allow the levers 3 to properly position at the point of convergence at the center plate 8 directlyabove the point 'of equilibrium of the inner'float 2. I,

"Referring to Fig. 2 it will be noted that if the outer float is so positioned that the center of the pin 4 will be on a direct horizontal line with the pin 6, then if this same line is continued, it will also pass through the center of the pin 9.

As previously mentioned, the present invention is intended to provide a device, whereby one certain point 8 is to be maintained constant, whenever any changes in density within a certain range take place in the fluid in which said device characteristics are considered, then whatever change arises in the liquid, as for instance when the specific gravity of the liquid is greater or less, this change will affect the depth of immerconstitute what has been heretofore referred to,

as the balanced flexible agent.

As the float unit moves'up or down in the liquid, the tape III will always remain intension sion of each float to such a degree as may be afdue to the perfect balance of the toggle weight 5 fected, due to a difference in their respective Ba and the bell-like member I3, and thereby characteristics. As an example, let us suppose the tape I0,'being'in perfect balance with the thatthe outer float I, and the inner float 2, are chain I3a attachedto the bell-like member, will of the same weight, butnthe horizontal cross move .up or. down onlyinsofaras it is propelled sectional area of .the::inner float 2 is t'wiceras 'bythe movement of? the .float .unit,I- thus accu- 10 great as the horizontal cross sectional area'oi' rately operating the indicating'device I4 at'the the outer float I, then when both are floatedrin: top of the tank IS. the same liquid, the depth of immersion of the" It will be observed from the foregoing descripouter float I, will be twicesas'greatas 2the::depth 1 tion'; that the'present invention provides a novel of immersion of the inner float 2. construction and arrangement, whereby a ball5 Nowlet us suppose that a change has taken .anced flexibleagent that is being used in conplace in'the density of the liquid inwhich' these junction with a liquid level indicator, may be floats are placed. Whentthis"occursp-wexyflnd moreipositlvely-motivated, and that it will also the outer float I moving up or down in the liquid be maintained in a constant position in respect 2 (depending upon the specific gravity)=in'a'-ratio to "the level of a liquid, irrespective of certain I'rrOf'atWO r-tO one;i"or--ztwice;the movement or .changesin=density rthatimay takeeplacetuin, the, rtdowmof the inner float iawltistunderstoodvthat liquid, due-to-riseor fall'occasionedi:by :changes the rationarms 3 are:so-pivoted inrproportion, .in:speciflc;gravity., j M H H mat; point III-remains ;-con.stant,-l-regar dless of .the iObViOllSlY therpresentzinvention: is D012: limited :1 5-. up anddownlmovementuof-the=two:floats. Y -rto theprecise-constructiom and: arrangement ;zlnedevisingrfloatswfon the indication o f -liquid v'shown and describe'd as"thessame mambewarilevels whereby the =said1liquid= level is. to be inyzously modified :in torder to: meet certain-:condi- 1=dicatedbyatreceiving l'dev'iceeremotefrom the nationsiwherelcthefratiooi: the. different unitsmay container containing:. theefloat, wehave;;- found have to differ due to certain requirements.

M301 that considerable diflicultyvhasw'been encountered wwhat I claim; as -newran'd"desire= to secure by 5 5-, when-n sed. innconnection' zwithhsaid remote reqliquidinv-which the float-rests. at the:center. ofrsaid members -meansintercone 40 obviouslyinany-tcasewhen afloat is employed wnecting said: armsat'asaidvcomnwnz ;point-,-:aud ins ingliquidg levelsinlcontainers, it is. es- .-..dicat1ng meansrincluding ia:rtape,:said1tape-:bemg sentialnthat a-periorateditapetor ribbon-AIL be connected to said'interconnecting means. a attached to said float at point, 8,, in order-to reg- 12.! In a-wliquid'rlevel indicatorg arcompensating ister the rise'or fallof the -liquid -levelandTOperbuoyant device::comprising;:concentric-1:annular 45 watively engage with a tankrindicatingiumt ll at w floats, of difl'erentudensities-wherebyevariationswin top=offtankrl5r tithe;specificrgravitywofuthealiquidacause: relative .Il'1. thfe presentrinvention-the said tape IIIQis at- "v movement-between the .floatsgrmeans iinteroon- :tachedI-to toggle {by bolt. w pintllic, and nutrlc. necting said floats including: radially "spaced-arms -.,-.'Ihis tapmllipasses-over tworidlers. and under extendingrfrom az-commonipoint at"the1f center,

r a pin wheel I2ioflthe indicatingmechanism-ll. .of: saidqannular memjbersv and arcenter plateaat The other end of tape III is attachedto the bellsaid common point; th'ezarmsa-being -.movable:in member I3; i :--accordance :with therelativmmovements ofcthe mInnerfloat inhas-a verticakcylindricalopening float in such a-rway-that-sthel levelxofthet-center ;-;2a.-in-:its center to allow-fon thesuspensionsof a -plate:rema.ins constantpirrespective of any varial 55 -in-.-recording the proper rliquid level,-.-: duet-to: .the evarying speciflagravities ot the liquidsin vwhich ..,.-the-float-. rests: @present inventionwautomaticall-y compensates for changes [in specific: gravity 1 cording devices. Due to the novel arrangement of this compensatingafloatwpoint 8. (previously mentioned-gt will always remain in e an; absolute, *flxed position" regardless of the. nature. otsthe toggleweightlasecured to toggle 8 bybolt 8b and .nut; 8c..1.'-Said -:toggle weight :Bais of such weight as to perfectly balance the weight-.of the bellmembers" which together withthe :tape III ,.l-Letters.-Patent is: v a l l lwIn aliquid leveltindicator, a;float,r.said.-:float {comprising concentric annular :members lofxdifferent densities wherebyuvariations in: the, speciflc gravity-- of (the liquid: cause: relative ;move: ;35

1 merit-1 between: the: floats, radially spaced. arms interconnecting, i said; 1 members and:; movable :in accordance With the relative movements "of said floats-said armsiextendingfrom awcommon point tions inl the speciflc gravity of the liquid;in-:which said; device is-fioated and indicatingmeansr attached: to the center plate.

, rFRANK 11:; RENNER. 

